A restaurant chain with growth as hot as its chicken is planning to expand in Dover in a site that was well-known for its cooler concoctions.
Dave’s Hot Chicken will open in 2025 at the former Friendly’s building at 318 N. DuPont Highway, across from Red Lobster.
In just seven years, Dave's Hot Chicken has opened 216 restaurants in 31 states and Washington, D.C., with 13 more in other countries.
It all started with four friends scraping together $900 to open a pop-up restaurant in a parking lot in East Hollywood, California with two tables and a portable fryer.
The company’s website explains what happened next: “Thanks to Instagram, people came…and came back with their friends. Then, the buzz brought a reporter from ‘EATER/LA.’ He took a bite of his first Dave’s Hot Chicken tender, and our world changed. The next day he posted, ‘East Hollywood’s New Late Night Hot Chicken Stand Might Blow Your Mind.’”
Then in 2021, music superstar Drake became “a significant investor” in the company.
Recent Dover restaurant openings: 5 new restaurants in Dover feature Mexican dishes, pizza and a cookie bakery
“Dave’s Hot Chicken has one of the greatest origin stories in the restaurant business,” said chief executive officer Bill Phelps. “The company’s nearly unheard-of growth rate is a result of the founders’ vision for this brand, the tremendous leadership team we’ve assembled, and the incredible commitment of some of the most experienced franchisees in the restaurant industry.”
The menu features hand-breaded chicken tenders and sliders offered at seven spice levels ranging from “no spice” to “reaper” which requires customers to sign a waiver to order. Side dishes include house-made kale slaw, macaroni and cheese and crispy, seasoned French fries.
The restaurant will join another hot chicken business that’s planning to open in Dover, Hangry’ Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings in the Capital Station shopping center near Aldi and Red Robin on Route 13.
More on Hangry Joe's: Fiery, crispy Nashville hot chicken is coming to Delaware. Here's what we know
The Dover Friendly’s closed in 2023 but the building is being brought back to life by TIG Corp which also owns QDOBA Mexican Eats just north on Route 13 across from Delaware State University in Farley Plaza.
Charles Rodriguez of R&R Commercial Realty, who brokered the deal, said it’s always good to see a shuttered eatery spring back to life, especially on Route 13.
“There are well over 200 Dave’s Hot Chicken locations in the U.S., but this will be the first one in Delaware,” said Rodriguez. “I’m glad they chose Dover. We love our chicken here.”